Abstract: AIM: To investigate the effect of propofol on myocardial malondialdehyde(MDA)metabolism and water content after ischemia/reperfusion injury in isolated rat heart with the modified Langredorff model.METHODS: Twenty four rats were randomly divided into four groups.Rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleik(K-H)in normal control group.In other three groups,a three-phase protocal was performed:(1)15 -30 min preperfusion,(2)20 min global normothermic(37℃)ischemia,and(3)30 min reperfusion.Then the grouppwas treated with 30 μmol·L^-1propofol,the groupp+G 30 μmol·L^-1 propofol+10 μmol·L^-1 glibenclamide before ischemia and throughout the experiment.Only K-H buffer was perfused in the groupI-R.The content of water and MDA in myocardium and creatin kinase(CK)in the coronary effluent were measured.RESULTS: The recovery of hearts treated with propofol were better than that of groupI-R,indicated by lower content of water,MDA and CK level(p<0.01).No statistically significant differences were observed between grouppand groupp+G(p>0.05).CONCLUSION: Propofol can relieve myocardial edema by scavenging oxygen free radical and the mechanism is related to open of KATpchannels.

Key words: propofol, myocardial edema, myocardial, reperfusion injury